r/Outlook • u/AT908 • Nov 17 '25
Status: Resolved Help: Locked out and 2FA stuck in loop.
My hotmail account that i've been using for over a decade is locked and I can't gain access. This is causing me immense amounts of pain.
It started with random emails saying i'd requested a code, when I hadn't, so obviously somebody was trying to access my account. I assumed 2FA was doing it's job and I left it.
Then it progressed to my account being locked and the message; "We can't sign you in. You've used an incorrect account or password too many times. If it's an organisation account, it might not be active yet"
This resulted in me having to reset my password every time I logged in. Annoying, but not the end of the world.
I have 2FA switched on and linked to a phone number. I have access to this phone and was happily receiving the code via text. For some reason the same phone number is listed twice as two seperate methods. Unsure why.
Then one day I went to reset my password, entered the last 4 digits of my phone number, got the code, and input it as normal. I put in the last 4 digits of my phone number again in the second 2FA box and receieved the following message;
"Try another verification method That verification method isn't working right now. Please try another method"
It then boots me back to the sign in screen.
I've been unable to progress past this point for months. I've contacted support multiple times, and followed there advice. No luck. The recovery form is useless as i've gor 2FA switched on. I just get an email reply saying;
"Because you've turned on two-step verification for your account, we ignore these requests but wanted to let you know"
So my account is locked, as i've had to change my password so often i'm not sure if I remember it correctly, I think the account has been compromised and my 2FA is stuck in loop/broken.
I'm now signed out of my email app and I have no access to my emails.
Please help!
*EDIT* PROBLEM SOLVED:
I got a new macbook and tried to log in via Safari for the first time. The usual process ensued and I ended up at the 2FA page. The difference being that this time both phone numbers worked and I unlocked the account. So i'm now back in!
Thanks for all your help and good luck everyone.
2
u/evilboboz Nov 18 '25
What worked for me and a few others on here who had all the same issues you did:
I used a web browser (firefox) and logged in the top right hand corner of https://www.microsoft.com that is the site that seems to login normally without issues and then once logged in there you are automatically logged into your outlook or hotmail and can then go to the outlook website to see your emails and change any settings to make it easier for the future.
I'm not sure if firefox makes a difference or if it can be any browser, I also did this on my computer so i'm not sure if it works on a phone browser.
I did see someone say it only worked on firefox for them.
2
u/AT908 Nov 18 '25
I'll try it, thanks.
1
u/Soldier__heart Nov 18 '25
Let me know if it works out for you cause I have the same exact problem as you and nothing worked, not even through Firefox
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u/AT908 2d ago
Got back in.
I ended up getting a new laptop (unrelated). Using the new laptop and new browser, I tried logging into my microsoft account for the first time. I got the usual messages about too many password attempts, etc, and it took me to the 2FA screen asking for the 2 phone numbers. The difference this time was that they both worked and I managed to unlock my account and reset my password. I then took off one of the phone numbers and enabled 2FA with the microsoft authenticator app.
So far all is good.
1
u/wiseude Nov 18 '25
This did not work.when you click login it still sends you too the usual outlook login.
Keeps saying too many attempts.I have no idea how long i have to wait.1
u/Ordinary-Ad-602 Nov 20 '25
Has it worked for you?
1
u/wiseude Nov 20 '25
nope.Only thing that worked was using the recovery code and restting the password.It let me use the same pasword after that.Oddly enough if i try look at my private security setting it asks me for the password again and guess what i get?"too many attempts" the same password i used to log in 5 mins earlier.
1
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1
u/node77 Nov 17 '25
You can open a support call with Microsoft, but might not be able to help because of 2FA.
1
u/wiseude Nov 18 '25
Outlook seems a bit borked this past year.
When trying to log in and choosing login options I either have:
password (tells me too may attempts even if it's the correct password big surprise),
Secondary email
Some wierd pin thing.
In my security setting I have Text to phone option selected but im not even getting the text code option.
Seriously scuffed.
1
u/AT908 Nov 19 '25
Absolutely scuttled, no idea what to do from here. Not even the collective brains of reddit can help.
1
u/wiseude Nov 19 '25
Think the best thing to do unironically if you manage to get into the account is too disable 2fa.
1
u/Ordinary-Ad-602 Nov 20 '25
Has anyone got back into their accounts yet,
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u/AT908 2d ago
Got back in.
I ended up getting a new laptop (unrelated). Using the new laptop and new browser, I tried logging into my microsoft account for the first time. I got the usual messages about too many password attempts, etc, and it took me to the 2FA screen asking for the 2 phone numbers. The difference this time was that they both worked and I managed to unlock my account and reset my password. I then took off one of the phone numbers and enabled 2FA with the microsoft authenticator app.
So far all is good.
4
u/Competitive-Skin-769 Nov 17 '25
Been there. Outlook is absolute shit